**Executive Summary**
On June 29, 2026, AIIMS Nagpur announced the successful life-saving treatment of a six-year-old girl following a severe stray dog attack that resulted in critical neck trauma. Through a multi-stage surgical intervention, the hospital’s ENT department restored the child's ability to breathe and speak. The report highlights the successful completion of the procedure, the patient’s full recovery, and her subsequent discharge from the facility.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Emergency Stabilization and Initial Trauma**
* The patient suffered life-threatening neck injuries, including airway obstruction and a shattered thyroid cartilage.
* Emergency stabilization was initially achieved via a tracheostomy to allow the patient to breathe through a tube.
* Internal injuries included damage to the right vocal cord and a bleeding wound within the airway that compromised swallowing and speech.
* **Surgical Intervention and Reconstructive Care**
* A multidisciplinary team comprising ENT surgeons, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians mapped out a complex, multi-stage treatment plan.
* Surgeons rebuilt the fractured structural framework of the voice box and reconstructed the internal lining of the windpipe.
* Medical care included clearing residual infections from deep animal bites and providing intensive Pediatric ICU support.
* **Recovery and Outcomes**
* Following reconstructive surgeries, the child completed an intensive rehabilitation program.
* The surgical team performed a successful decannulation, permanently removing the artificial breathing tube.
* The patient has regained natural breathing and clear speech, and has been discharged to return to school and daily activities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: The Patient and Family**
**Impact**
The child’s life was saved, and her essential functions—breathing, speaking, and swallowing—were fully restored following a traumatic event.
**Action Required**
The family must ensure the child continues any post-discharge rehabilitation protocols as prescribed by the medical team.
**Stakeholder: AIIMS Nagpur (ENT, Pediatrics, and Anesthesiology Departments)**
**Impact**
The institution demonstrated its advanced capability to manage critical pediatric airway emergencies and showcased successful inter-departmental collaboration.
**Action Required**
The medical teams involved should document the surgical techniques and multi-stage care plan as a case study for future medical reference.
**Stakeholder: Public Health Authorities (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)**
**Impact**
The successful outcome serves as a testament to the specialized medical expertise and high-quality care available at premier national institutes.
**Action Required**
No immediate action required, other than acknowledging the success of the institute in handling complex trauma cases.
Key Entities Referenced
AIIMS Nagpur: The primary healthcare institution and location where the complex multi-stage surgical care and airway reconstruction were performed.
Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), AIIMS Nagpur: The specialized medical unit responsible for salvaging the patient's life, voice, and breathing airway through advanced surgical intervention.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The central government ministry overseeing the AIIMS institutions and under which this medical achievement was reported.
Prof. Dr. Prashant Joshi: The Executive Director of AIIMS Nagpur who oversaw the institution's response to the critical pediatric emergency.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
AIIMS Nagpur Saves 6-Year-Old Child's Life After
Severe Dog Bite Trauma; Restores Breathing and
Voice
प्रव तथ: 29 JUN 2026 3:57PM by PIB Mumbai
Nagpur, 29 June 2026
In a rare display of medical expertise and multi-stage surgical care, the Department of Ear,
Nose, and Throat (ENT) at AIIMS Nagpur has successfully salvaged the life, voice, and breathing
airway of a courageous 6-year-old girl. The child suffered critical, life-threatening neck injuries
in a ferocious stray dog attack while heroically shielding her younger sibling.
The incident left the young girl with devastating neck trauma. Recognizing the immediate threat
to her life due to airway obstruction causing severe breathing difficulty, emergency airway
stabilisation was performed through a tracheostomy—a surgical procedure in which a tube is
inserted directly into the windpipe through the neck to allow air to reach the lungs.
Once stabilised, she was referred to the advanced care facilities at AIIMS Nagpur. Upon arrival
at the Department of ENT, AIIMS Nagpur, she was evaluated thoroughly. The dog's teeth had
shattered her thyroid cartilage (the protective shield of the voice box, commonly known as the
Adam's apple) and caused injury to the right vocal cord. The resultant damage left her
dependent on a surgical airway as the only means of breathing. She also had a bleeding wound
within the airway, compromising her voice and swallowing ability.Managing a severely crushed, infected child's airway is one of the most difficult challenges in
modern medicine. The ENT Department at AIIMS Nagpur rose to the challenge by mapping out a
multi-stage surgical treatment plan. She underwent a comprehensive examination under
general anaesthesia, meticulous Paediatric ICU care, and airway surgery under general
anaesthesia, which revealed complete blockage of her airway due to scarring.
Over several weeks, a dedicated team of surgeons, an anaesthesiologist, and a paediatrician
rebuilt the fractured structural framework of her tiny voice box, cleared residual infections
caused by the deep animal bites, and carefully reconstructed the internal lining of her windpipe.
Following the successful completion of these complex reconstructive surgeries, the child
underwent an intensive rehabilitation programme. In the final milestone of her recovery, the
surgical team successfully performed decannulation—the permanent removal of the artificial
breathing tube from her neck. The child is now breathing naturally through her nose and mouth,
speaking clearly, and has been safely discharged to reunite with the sibling she so selflessly
protected. She has returned to school and can play without any breathing difficulties.
This recovery stands as a shining testament to the surgical precision and compassionate care
provided by the ENT Department at AIIMS Nagpur, reinforcing the institute's capability to
successfully manage some of the most critical paediatric airway emergencies. Executive Director
Prof. Dr. Prashant Joshi lauded the six-year-old's bravery in saving her younger sibling. The ENT
team at AIIMS Nagpur also acknowledged the support of the Departments of Paediatrics and
Anaesthesiology in managing this unique case.
* * *
PIB Nagpur | Saurabh Khekde/Darshana Rane
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